Mildred Fern Walter, 93

Mildred “Millie” Walter passed away at home Monday, Jan. 22, 2018, with family by her side.

Millie was born Oct. 24, 1924, in Watford City, North Dakota, to Henry and Lorena Fox. Millie was one of seven girls and was raised in North Dakota. Upon visiting Montana, she met and eventually married Arnold “Corky” Walter and together they raised their four children, Karen, Richard, Terry and Mary. When Mary passed away in 1977, Corky and Millie raised her son Tracy Stevens until he was grown.

Millie was a homemaker and a member of the Columbia Falls United Methodist Church for many years. She spent countless hours volunteering at the Klothes Kloset and at the church until her body could no longer physically take it. She even won “Volunteer of the Year” award for all of her hard work.

You could always find Millie at the hometown basketball games cheering on the Wildcats. She loved to watch sports in person and on TV. The day before she passed, we played the Vikings vs. Eagles playoff game for her to listen to in her room since she was unable to watch it. We knew that is what she would have been watching if she was able to.

Another love that she had was the birds, squirrels and deer that frequently came to the window for her to watch every day. The day she passed, four blue jays appeared. We think they came to tell her it was time for her to go to her new home in heaven.

Millie was preceded in death by her parents, her daughter Mary, husband Arnold, three sisters, and her son-in-law Chuck Kyger.

She is survived by her daughter Karen Kyger, sons Richard and Terry (Lorinda) Walter, six grandchildren, 10 great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren.

Millie was an exceptional woman who fought to live like no other. Her strength amazed us all. She loved her family and would do anything she could to help anyone. Millie will be missed by everyone who had the chance to meet her.

“God broke our hearts to prove to us He only takes the best.”

A memorial service for Millie will be held at 1 p.m. Monday, Jan. 29, at Columbia Mortuary in Columbia Falls, with burial to follow at Glacier Memorial Gardens in Kalispell.

Columbia Mortuary is caring for the family.